Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Monday launched the national song “Tu Shaheen Hai” under the URAAN Pakistan vision, urging the country’s youth to embrace Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s philosophy of Khudi (selfhood) and become agents of national transformation through knowledge, innovation, character and hope.
Addressing the launching ceremony of the song, organised to commemorate the birth anniversaries of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the minister said true development was measured not by skyscrapers, roads or vehicles but by the quality of a nation’s human resources.
He said Pakistan had historically neglected investments in health, education and population welfare, resulting in poor social indicators compared with many countries.
Under the URAAN Pakistan vision, he said, these sectors had been elevated to the forefront of the national development agenda through institutional reforms, including the National Population Council and coordinated action under the National Economic Council.
Ahsan said Independence Day should not merely be celebrated as a historical event but should inspire the nation to strive for excellence in knowledge, character and national dignity. He described Allama Iqbal as the thinker who provided Pakistan with a complete philosophy of life, teaching that nations were built on character, vision and self-belief rather than geography or natural resources.
Referring to Iqbal’s concept of Shaheen, the minister said the national song sought to reconnect the younger generation with the ideals of courage, self-confidence, freedom, perseverance and continuous progress.
He urged young Pakistanis to become problem-solvers instead of critics and to contribute positively through innovation, skills and hard work.
Rejecting the perception that Pakistan’s system had collapsed, Ahsan said the country was in need of comprehensive reforms rather than despair.
He stressed that stronger local governments, administrative reforms and a modern civil service were essential for making governance more inclusive and responsive.
The minister said Pakistan had demonstrated remarkable resilience by overcoming economic challenges, inflationary pressures, political instability and the aftermath of the 2022 floods.
He noted that inflation and interest rates had declined, investor confidence had improved, the stock market had strengthened and the country’s digital economy was expanding, attributing the recovery to difficult decisions taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He said the objective of URAAN Pakistan was not merely economic recovery but national greatness through its five pillars of development, adding that Iqbal’s philosophy formed the spiritual foundation of the vision.
He called upon young people to lead Pakistan’s progress by excelling in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, robotics and space sciences.
Congratulating the team behind the national song, Ahsan said art was not merely a source of entertainment but also a powerful instrument for shaping the thinking of nations.
He expressed confidence that presenting Iqbal’s message through music would inspire millions of young Pakistanis to adopt the values of self-confidence, integrity, patriotism and public service.
The minister urged the youth to reject hatred, division and hopelessness, and instead embrace knowledge, innovation, unity and perseverance to build a prosperous Pakistan in line with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
The newly launched “Tu Shaheen Hai” carries special significance as a patriotic anthem inspired by Allama Iqbal’s timeless concept of the Shaheen—the soaring eagle that symbolizes courage, self-reliance, ambition and unwavering determination.
By blending poetry, music and a contemporary message, the song seeks to inspire Pakistan’s youth to rise above challenges and actively contribute to national development.
The anthem also reinforced the objectives of the URAAN Pakistan vision by presenting patriotism as a commitment to education, innovation, character-building and national service.
Released ahead of Independence Day celebrations, it aims to transform Iqbal’s message into a nationwide movement that encourages young Pakistanis to become confident, creative and responsible citizens capable of steering the country towards sustained progress and prosperity.
